According to World Data, https://ourworldindata.org/co2-emissions-from-transport,
15% of global CO2 emissions from transportation comes from road vehicles. Each gallon of gasoline a vehicle burns creates 20 pounds of greenhouse gas emissions.
One of the ways to reduce GHGs from road vehicles is to support cycling.
Burnaby’s 2020 Climate Action Framework promised the completion of a core cycling network by 2030 and further cycling facilities after that. Four years later, a core cycling network design has not even been approved. Existing ‘cycle paths’ remain fragmented and unsafe.
Burnaby cyclists say that although the City of Burnaby’s website states that Burnaby has “more than 70 km of bike routes, urban trails and pathways that connect Burnaby from north to south, east to west and to our neighbouring cities” ( New West, Vancouver, and Coquitlam), tires on the ground tell a different story!
The reality is that Burnaby’s ‘cycle paths’ are generally a mix of local side streets and busy streets, shared bike/pedestrian paths known as “multi-use paths” (MUPs) and sometimes sidewalks. The ‘cycle paths’ that currently exist do not meet AAA standards of accessibility for people of all ages and abilities (AAA standards are described here: https://vancouver.ca/files/cov/design-guidelines-for-all-ages-and-abilities-cycling-routes.pdf).
Examples of Burnaby’s unsafe cycling infrastructure include:
Other barriers to cycling in Burnaby:
The lack of AAA cycling infrastructure leaves children and novice riders feeling unsafe and uncomfortable. Even seasoned cyclists often feel they are taking their life in their hands when cycling in Burnaby – and sometimes they are – see https://www.nsnews.com/local-news/petition-launched-to-change-burnaby-road-where-cyclist-killed-3124673
There are no secure bike lock ups at any of Burnaby’s four town centers. The City has installed secure bike lock ups at libraries and community centers, however, these cannot accommodate cargo bikes or larger sized e-bikes.
Without much more active investment in safe, separated cycling infrastructure being built out across Burnaby that allows cyclists of all ages and abilities to participate, only the hardy, tenacious or desperate will ride, and that’s a shame because cycling is good for our health, it builds community bonds and it reduces our greenhouse gas emissions which, in turn, supports a healthy planet.
Burnaby cyclists describe the difficulties getting around Burnaby by bicycle:
There is no safe north/south cycling route to allow cyclists to cross Lougheed and Canada Way to get to Metrotown or Central Park. In the past, cyclists used Gilmore Avenue, but with new development in this area, this option is now gone. Gilmore Avenue both north and south is far too busy, and corner treatments are too small to hold many pedestrians and bikes. In addition, the new Town Center Standard (a cycle path blessed by the city around new developments) is unsafe and uncomfortable for both pedestrians and cyclists. It might be suitable for children under 12 years of age for practicing purposes. Off road, NW through Burnaby, try the Central Valley Greenway (CVG), maybe. You could start from Hume Park in New Westminster on North Road. It would make a nice family ride taking North Road and riding along the path of the Brunette River. Currently there are no lights here and the pathway is dirt. It is a short ride but nice ride. If you wish to continue on and try for Burnaby Lake you will turn left at the exits on Caribou Road and ride along a busy street for about 50 m. You can access Burnaby Lake route on your right.
The access is bumpy, there are no lights and it’s a good long ride but it’s a one way ride only unless you return the same way or wish to return on Winston Street going east.
If you exit at the end of the Brunette River pathway and do not to turn left to ride around Burnaby lake, cyclists must navigate (right) cross the train tracks and go west along Winston St. Here you will ride on a road you share with cars and trucks for about 5 km. Not the best bet for children or novice riders. At Sperling you will see the Sperling foot bridge where you ride over and south to Burnaby Lake (Bill Copeland Sports Arena) and back to Caribou Road and Hume Park. Or once over the footbridge you continue west along the CVG to Vancouver. This is a great flat ride and is only one of two off-road east/west cycling connections in Burnaby. The other off road connection is the MUP known as the BC Parkway in south Burnaby.
You could try riding south on Caribou Road, an official cycle path to east Burnaby. This pathway will take you up the old Caribou Road called Caribou Drive. This pathway is very steep and will drop you off at 10th and Caribou. You will need to navigate west on the road (or sidewalk) along 10th going west up another steep pathway and exit where safe. Most of this pathway is on a painted road close to cars. It is an indirect pathway to nowhere in particular unless you are wanting to ride to NW.
In south Burnaby, the new MUP route from Edmonds Skytrain station south to the Foreshore Park is so steep it’s impossible to imagine a family trying this more than once. People generally drive to the Foreshore Park and ride along the walking trails that were probably not meant for as many people and bikes as they are now getting. New development just to the west of the park failed to separate bikes from people and bikes from cars, even when there was lots of room to do so. Parking is also limited. And besides everyone can’t drive and park and ride can they? Well I guess in the absence of decent quality cycling paths elsewhere or quality bus service helping riders get around this is what people do.
This is another difficult north/south route from north to south Burnaby. If you want to ride to Metrotown or get to Bonsor Recreation Center you could try the official cycle path known as Mid-town up to Metrotown. Ride south along Weyburne Avenue behind BCIT and cross at Moscrop. Once you cross Moscrop the street name changes to Sussex. As you ride up Sussex the route is very steep. I would never consider it a route for families, children or new riders. This cycle path is more of a workout hill for good to excellent riders. As riders climb closer to Metrotown, signage provides directions to Metrotown and traffic is heavy. There is no safe cycling infrastructure in this area. I would suggest taking the sidewalk anywhere you feel unsafe.
